society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > stairs > [noun] > pillar of spiral staircase (4)
A central pillar forming the axis of a spiral or winding staircase. Formerly also: †any of the stones forming such a pillar (obsolete).
The newel of a winding stair. Obsolete. rare.
(a) a post forming the central newel of a spiral staircase; (b) = sense 2.